9 Top Shampoos For Dreadlocks in 2024

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Looking for the top dreadlock shampoos? Look no further. In this post, we will cover clarifying deadlock shampoos, dandruff shampoos for dreads and more!

Dreadlocks are a hairstyle that is worn by many people in different cultures around the world.

They have been in existence for centuries and have been worn by people from all different backgrounds.

Dreadlocks will not continue to grow well without proper care and attention. In this post, we will explore how to maintain dreadlocks so that they do not become damaged or unhealthy.

It’s important to know what products you can use on your locks so that they stay healthy and look good.

Happy woman smiling holding her dreadlocks

Dreadlock Shampoos

One of the most important things you can do to maintain your locks is to use the right shampoo.

Regular shampoos are made for people with normal hair, so they usually have too many chemicals in them that can damage your locks or dry them out.

There are different types of natural dreadlock shampoo on the market, but you should avoid using ones with too many ingredients because this can irritate your scalp and cause dandruff or other skin problems.

Maintaining Your Locs

Dreadlocks are often difficult to maintain. They can become dry and require the use of clarifying shampoo that removes product build-up, oils, sweat, etc.

There are many types of shampoos available in the market which claim to be the top shampoo for dreadlocks.

However, most of them are not designed specifically for dreadlocks and do not work well on locs. You need to be careful while picking up a shampoo for your locs.

You might ask “What’s the top shampoo for my locs?” Well, the answer to that is not as straightforward as you may think.

What you need to figure out is what kind of hair your have.

If you have dry hair, it is best to use a clarifying shampoo that has oils in it.

If you have oily hair, then using a dandruff shampoo with tea tree oil will be more suitable for your scalp.

There are so many types of shampoos available in the market today and choosing can be overwhelming! But don’t fret – we’re here to help!

The Top Shampoo For Dreadlocks

Our team of experts took their time to do research and they’ve come up with this list of the 10 top shampoos for dreads:

1. Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo Bar

Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo Bar is a shampoo bar with organic and natural ingredients. There are no sulfates, parabens, artificial colors or any other harmful substances that can damage your hair and turn it into a dry and frizzy mess.

This shampoo is made of only all-natural ingredients like castile soap, jojoba oil and shea butter.
It also includes an ingredient called palm kernal oil which is great for those who have dry scalp problems as it helps to moisturize hair follicles.

Knotty Boy shampoo is biodegradable and animal-cruelty-free as well as free from any toxic chemicals.

2. Jamaican Mango And Lime Tingle Dreadlock Shampoo

The Jamaican Mango And Lime Tingle Dreadlock Shampoo is a product of Jamaican Mango And Lime Tingle Dreadlock Shampoo Company. It is a company that manufactures natural hair products made from the finest locally sourced ingredients.

The company was established in 2015 by a group of friends who were committed to making a change in the community and committed to meeting the needs of their customers.

The Jamaican Mango And Lime Tingle Dreadlock Shampoo has been formulated with natural extracts and fragrance oils for maximum effectiveness. It does not contain any synthetic chemicals, sulfates, parabens, or DEA.

Blended with pure essential oils like lime oil, tangerine oil and mandarin oil, it provides an uplifting scent that will leave your scalp feeling fresh and invigorated.

3. Dollylocks Nag Champa Liquid Shampoo

Dollylocks Nag Champa Liquid Shampoo is a quality product from the Dollylocks brand. It offers a rich lather that leaves your hair feeling silky smooth and smelling great for hours. In terms of ingredients, it contains wheat protein, aloe vera extract, coconut oil, vitamins A and E, tea tree oil, and some other ingredients.

This shampoo has been rated at 4.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon based on customer reviews.

This shampoo is known for its sweet scent of Nag Champa, which is a fragrance that comes from India. The scent is typically described as exotic, earthy, floral, woody, and spicy.

4. Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo

Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo is specifically designed for people with dreadlocks.

It has a unique formula that moisturizes and cleanses the scalp, leaving the hair clean and shiny. It also helps to retain moisture in your dreads, keeping them silky smooth and frizz-free.

The Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo is a premium, all-natural shampoo. It is made with extracts of pineapple, papaya and sugar cane. These ingredients help to cleanse the hair and scalp by removing dirt and oil.

It also has the sugar cane ingredient which helps to restore your hair’s natural oils.

5. Knatty Dread Loc Shampoo

Knatty Dread Dreadlocks Shampoo
  • Tightens dreadlocks and helps new growth lock
  • Completely residue free, unscented
  • Great for dreadlocks ALL hair types

Knatty Dread Loc Shampoo is a product that promotes dreadlock growth while also cleaning the scalp.

Users of this shampoo will experience thicker hair, cleaner scalp, and healthier hair. The shampoo is made out of organic ingredients which means no harsh chemicals to damage your hair or scalp.

6. Dollylocks Dark/Brown Dry Shampoo Locking Powder

Dollylocks 1oz Dark/Brown Dreadlock Locking Powder
  • Organic ingredients designed to absorb excess oil
  • Essential oils stimulate and refresh the scalp
  • Gives grip to a crochet hook when maintaining roots

Dollylocks is a natural way to extend the life of your hairstyle. It contains no chemicals or perfumes and is ideal for all hair types. It’s easy to use and you can do it yourself in minutes!

Top Dandruff Shampoo For Dreadlocks

7. Dreadhead Dread Soap

Dread Head - Dreadlock Soap
  • Guaranteed to Dread your hair!
  • Helps to prevent dandruff, moisturize scalp and strengthen dreadlocks
  • Increase scalp hydration and refreshen hair/dreadlocks

Dreadhead Dread Soap has been a household name in the African American community for years, and it’s only grown. The company was founded in 1983 by Lula M. Wilson and has been producing high-quality soap ever since.

The original Dreadhead Dread Soap is a medicated soap that’s supposed to get rid of dandruff and nits while also moisturizing your hair.

What is most unique about this soap is that its scent is derived from natural essential oils which means it doesn’t have any artificial scents or colors in it.

Top Clarifying Shampoo For Dreadlocks

8. Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo

Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo Sulfate-Free Detox for Natural Hair - Hair Shampoo - Fragrance-Free -...
  • GENTLY DEEP CLEANS - Nothing But Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoo gently deep cleans hair and scalp removing deep-seated contaminants, excess oils, build-up, and residue...
  • HONEST INGREDIENTS - No petrolatum, mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, colorants, or phthalates - just honest care for natural hair.
  • NON-IRRITATING - Recommended for all hair types, including oily hair, curly hair, African American, and biracial hair, and is safe for use on color-treated hair.

Top clarifying shampoo for dreadlocks is a type of shampoo that has the ability to remove any residue, dirt and toxins from your scalp and hair. But these shampoos are not created equal so it is important to find the top clarifying shampoo on the market.

There are many types of shampoos available but we recommend Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo Sulfate-Free Detox for Natural Hair. It is designed to be gentle, yet thorough on all types of hair and it will eliminate any buildup that may be causing your dreadlocks to become heavy or greasy.

It is a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo for dread locks that deeply cleans the hair and the scalp. You will be happy to know the they leave out petrolatum, mineral oil, sulfates, paragons and phthalates so you know you are getting a purer product.

9. Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap

Alaffia Skin Care, Authentic African Black Soap, All in One Body Wash, Face Wash, Shampoo & Shaving...
  • BENEFITS OF REAL AFRICAN BLACK SOAP: More than a skin care trend, our real African Black Soap liquid is detoxifying, clarifying, and gently cleanses while promoting...
  • SHEA BUTTER FOR SOFTNESS: Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap all in one facial cleanser and body wash is a natural soap for men or women, can leave skin looking...
  • LIQUID AFRICAN BLACK SOAP SHAMPOO HELPS DANDRUFF: Authentic African Black Soap shampoo gently and effectively cleanses and purifies the hair and scalp, which can help...

Alaffia is a US company with a mission to help African communities by using the proceeds of the business to fund community projects in West Africa.

Alaffia is one of the few beauty brands that are cruelty-free, vegan, and made only with natural ingredients.

The Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap is made with Shea Butter and Cocoa. It’s perfect for all skin types.

woman with long dreadlocks sitting looking at old structure

How to shampoo your dreads

There are four main steps in washing your dreads:
Step 1: Fill up a basin with lukewarm water and shampoo.
Step 2: Wet your hair thoroughly before dunking it into the basin. With dreads, you often need to submerge your hair in water as opposed to rinsing it in a shower so the water can really penetrate the locs.
Step 3: Clean your scalp to remove oils and product build-up. Then work the shampoo through your dreads. Make sure to really work them to remove any dirt or build-up. Let the shampoo sit for a few minutes before rinsing out with cool water.
Step 4: Dry your dreads. It is crucial that your dreads are dried all the way through. If they are not able to completely dry they can rot. First ring out your hair, then towel dry your hair to reduce the amount of water in your hair.

Conclusion: The Top Shampoo For Dreads

Picking the right shampoo is one of the most important decisions you will make for your dreadlocks.

It is important to make sure that your shampoo is pH-balanced. You also need to choose a clarifying shampoo, which removes all residue and dirt from your locks while moisturizing them at the same time.

There are different types of shampoos for different purposes, but picking the right one can be overwhelming. We hope our choices above will help you in picking that perfect dreadlock shampoo for your locks.

What is your favorite dread shampoo?

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Author

  • Stephanie Martin

    Stephanie Martin blends her beauty industry background with expertise in communications to lead in the fashion and beauty world. As a fashion and beauty editor, she is known for engaging and informative articles. Her lifelong passion for fashion, makeup, and hair shines through her work, earning her widespread respect among readers and clients. Stephanie's style, a mix of classic and contemporary, makes her a dynamic and influential figure in the industry, inspiring others with her knowledgeable and approachable insights.

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One Comment

  1. I tried a few things when my dreads were new, that Jamaican stuff was nice for getting a texture to my hair that did seam to actually help early on… but Suave daily clarifying is all I’ve used for years now. Still only a buck or two for a big ass bottle you can find anywhere that sells shampoo. Leaves um clean with no buildup. Pretty sure it’s the only thing I’ve put in my dreads in .. 6 years now. Just lather rise REPEAT (this part is important) then rinse, rinse n rinse some more. If you’re drying them properly and that’s probably the most important part of washing your dreads, there really is no need to do dread detox n all that shit. I finally let some chick do a soak on mine and was told all this nasty shit was gonna come out after having them 8 years.. nope. I noticed it pulling some shit to the top near my roots where they’re were little greasy, but for the most part Just as clean as washing them in suave. Don’t put shit in your dreads. If you make it through the first year, just enjoy after that. When your head feels greasy, wash it, other than that, keep um dry.

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